PIA Press Release2010/01/26

Aklan records 316,886 registered voters

Kalibo, Aklan (26 January) -- Aklan's registered voters who would be participating in the country's first-ever automated elections have reached 316,886, based on the Consolidated Quarterly Progress Report of the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor here.

The figure, released by COMELEC-Aklan through Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, is based on the January 9, 2010 ERB Hearing.

Last November 10, 2009, Aklan's registered voters numbered 284,349, as based on the result of the October 19, 2009 ERB Hearing.

The current report shows that Kalibo maintained its stature as the vote-richest municipality in Aklan with 46,530, followed by Ibajay in the western side of Aklan with 25,481 and New Washington, with 23,858.

Closely trailing New Washington is the municipality of Banga with 23,063 registered voters.

This latest progress report from the COMELEC shows that there are 2,115 established precincts and 492 clustered precincts in the province's 327 barangays. This period, 861 new applicants were approved by the ERB.

Presently, COMELEC-Aklan is embarking on voters' education campaign among various sectors here, to create more awareness about the first automated elections in the country.

Just recently, Malacaņang urged the electorate to vote wisely in the coming elections, saying the fate of future generations rests on the decision that will be made by Filipinos in May.

Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Gary Olivar said the people "should never yield their rights and responsibilities as independent thinking voters to anything else whether it's the power of surveys or the blandishment of candidates. "

Olivar was reacting to pronouncements made made by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a pastoral letter on Sunday, calling for more vigilance and involvement by Filipinos in the electoral process.

Olivar said the Filipinos owe it to themselves to support the election process through COMELEC. "We must set aside second guessings and intrigues and focus instead on helping in he conduct of a successful elections," he said. (PIA) [top]